US3591773A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Card reader
Assignee: Vertex Industries Inc
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Filing: 1968-08-02
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Granted: 1971-07-06
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Expires: 1988-08-02
Abstract
Abstract A card reader uses a solenoid-operated linkage mechanism to give a greater mechanical advantage to close a card-carrying platform against reading means with an increasing force. The platform is inclined to the plane of the reading means so that on closure the reading means are successively engaged by the card.
Inventors
- 👤 John Covell Collier
- 👤 David William Rickards
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 06:15
CPC Classifications
G; G06; G06K; G06K7/00; G06K7/04
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
164 words
A card reader comprising an array of stationary contacts and a corresponding array of mateable movable contacts, each movable contact carrying a spring biased sensor part located in a general plane, a plate having a card-receiving area positioned adjacent the sensor parts, an actuator mechanism operatively connected to said plate to move said plate from a rest position inclined to the general plane of the sensor parts to a read position parallel to the general plane of the sensor parts, the actuator mechanism comprising a solenoid arranged to act on the plate, and linkage means disposed between said plate and said solenoid, the linkage means being connected to a stepped camming mechanism having a camming surface adapted to bear against the plate and to move it between the rest and read positions, said plate on moving from the rest to the read position with a card (10) in the cardreceiving area successively engages rows of sensor parts in the array with an increasing pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
164 words
A card reader comprising an array of stationary contacts and a corresponding array of mateable movable contacts, each movable contact carrying a spring biased sensor part located in a general plane, a plate having a card-receiving area positioned adjacent the sensor parts, an actuator mechanism operatively connected to said plate to move said plate from a rest position inclined to the general plane of the sensor parts to a read position parallel to the general plane of the sensor parts, the actuator mechanism comprising a solenoid arranged to act on the plate, and linkage means disposed between said plate and said solenoid, the linkage means being connected to a stepped camming mechanism having a camming surface adapted to bear against the plate and to move it between the rest and read positions, said plate on moving from the rest to the read position with a card (10) in the cardreceiving area successively engages rows of sensor parts in the array with an increasing pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
46 words
A card reader as claimed in claim 1, wherein the camming mechanism includes means adapted to move the camming surface between alternate extreme positions on each operation of the solenoid and to retain the camming surface in that position until a subsequent operation of the solenoid.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A card reader as claimed in claim 2, wherein the means adapted to move the camming surface comprises a pawl and ratchet arrangement.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
A card reader as claimed in claim 1 and including a return spring to reset the solenoid at the completion of an operation of the solenoid.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1974-07-05 | 1975-01-04 | 1975-07-06 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1978-07-05 | 1979-01-04 | 1979-07-06 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1982-07-05 | 1983-01-04 | 1983-07-06 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |